By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The search for the missing “sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts) in Taal Lake, Batangas has been put on hold following unfavorable conditions brought by bad weather, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Friday.
“Coast Guard Underwater Search Operations utilizing its Tech Divers and ROV (remotely operated vehicle) was temporarily placed on standby due to continuous rainfall and surface runoff from the nearby river,” DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said in a message to reporters.
“Elevated turbidity levels significantly reduced underwater visibility, resulting in unfavorable condition for the conduct of any diving operations.”
The search for the remains of the missing sabungeros in Taal Lake began on July 10 after whistleblower Julie Patidongan claimed that more than 100 bodies of sabungeros were dumped in the lake.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday confirmed that technical divers were able to recover two sacks of human remains.
Meanwhile, Remulla said he is convinced that Patidongan knows “a lot of things” about the missing sabungeros after meeting with him on Friday.
“(We talked about) clarifications and updates. We’re still getting some information and clarifications about everything. Kasi marami talaga siyang data na alam. Marami siyang alam talaga (He knows a lot of details.). So, we have to know what he knows,” he told reporters.
Remulla said investigators are completing the collection of DNA samples from the next of kin of the missing sabungeros.
“We are also continuing to get the DNA of yung mga nawawalan ng e-sabong people, mga kamag-anak nila (of the relatives of the missing e-sabong people). We are also calling on them to come forward so we can put them into the DNA bank that we need. We are trying to establish a DNA bank so the e-sabong victims can be identified properly,” he said.
The DOJ earlier said they plan to seek assistance from the Argentine government, which has proven expertise in recovering and identifying the “desaparecidos” (the disappeared ones) under the country’s past military dictatorship. (PNA)
